A national historic site of Canada and a Québec heritage site, the Reford Gardens are a must-see for anyone visiting Gaspésie or Bas-Saint-Laurent. Recognized as one of the wonders of Québec, they are also considered one of the great gardens of the world. This living open-air museum harmoniously blends history, horticultural expertise, design, architecture and inventive gastronomy. Some 3000 species and varieties of plants are grown here, including several that are very rare, such as the famous Himalayan blue poppy.

The permanent exhibition, Elsie, Through the Eyes of…, presented on the second floor of Estevan Lodge, will introduce you to Elsie Reford, who created the gardens and was designated a historical figure by the Québec government in 2024. In addition, the site showcases local artists and creators through various temporary exhibitions within the gardens and beyond.

Starting in late June, the International Garden Festival invites visitors to explore about 20 contemporary gardens created by landscape architects, architects and designers from around the world. These unique installations enhance the visitor experience, particularly for families with young children. Both playful and educational, they encourage visitors to have fun while reflecting on current issues, especially environmental ones.

To make the most of your visit, reserve a table at the Estevan Lodge restaurant or stop by the Le Bufton café bistro for a culinary experience where every dish celebrates the natural cycle of the seasons in Gaspésie. We offer gourmet cuisine inspired by the region’s biodiversity, with ingredients taken directly from the gardens.

Before you leave, stop by the garden shop where you will find a selection of unique gifts and souvenirs, including gourmet products made with ingredients from the gardens and locally made handicrafts.

Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge, but reservations are recommended.

BY CAR

Driving east: Follow Highway 20 to Trois-Pistoles, where it ends, and then take Route 132. Switch back to Highway 20 just past Le Bic until Mont-Joli. From there, take Route 132 again and follow the tourist signs for “Jardins de Métis” (Reford Gardens).

Driving west: From Percé, take Route 132 along the St. Lawrence. After Matane, follow the tourist signs for “Jardins de Métis” (Reford Gardens).

Driving north: From Campbellton, New Brunswick, head west on Route 132. After Mont-Joli, follow the tourist signs for “Jardins de Métis” (Reford Gardens).

BY BUS

A bus departs daily from Québec City and Montréal (with stops in Rimouski and Rivière-du-Loup) to Mont-Joli.

Orléans Express: www.orleansexpress.com or 1-888-999-3977

BY TRAIN

Trains run from Montréal and Halifax to Mont-Joli.

Via Rail: www.viarail.ca or 1-800-361-5390 / 1-888-VIA-RAIL

BY PLANE

The Reford Gardens are a 10-minute drive from the Mont-Joli airport.

Air Canada (Air Canada Jazz): www.aircanada.ca) or 1-888-247-2262

Pascan Aviation: www.pascan.com or 1-888-313-8777 (daily flights from Québec City and Saint-Hubert)

BY FERRY

Travellers coming from the north shore of the St. Lawrence can easily access the Reford Gardens by ferry.

Matane–Baie-Comeau/Godbout
Phone: 1-877-562-6560
Website: www.traversiers.com/en/

Trois-Pistoles–Les Escoumins 
Phone: 1-877-851-4677
Website: www.traversiercnb.ca

Saint-Siméon–Rivière-du-Loup
Phone: 418-862-9545
Rates: 418-862-5094
Website: www.traverserdl.com

Affiliations

• Tourisme Gaspésie
• Must-See Attractions Gaspésie
• Tourisme Mitis
• Québec Museums Association (SMQ)
• Canadian Museums Association

Distinctions

2019

• Gourmet Tourism Award, Laurier Awards of Québec Gastronomy

2018

• Gold University of Guelph / Food Day Canada Good Food Innovation Award – awarded to the chef of the Estevan Lodge restaurant
• 5 Blooms awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom
• Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal – awarded to the Reford Gardens
• Finalist for the Attractions Prize (SATQ) for the Tourism Excellence Awards in the “Innovation and Development” category

2015

• LEED® Platinum and Novoclimat 2.0 certification – awarded to the ERE 132 Eco Home
• 5 Blooms and a Special Mention for Sustainable Garden Initiatives – awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom

2014

• 5 Blooms for Excellence in Marketing and Horticultural Communication – awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom
• Bronze Québec Tourism Award – awarded in the “Tourism Human Resources” category to Pierre-Olivier Ferry, Chef and Coordinator of Restaurant Services
• Gold University of Guelph / Food Day Canada Good Food Innovation Award – awarded to the chef of the Estevan Lodge restaurant
• Garden of the Year, Canadian Garden Tourism Awards – awarded by the Canadian Garden Council

2013

• 5 Blooms and a Special Mention for Exceptional Floral Diversity – awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom

2012

• Production and Processing Award – awarded for the Reford Gardens’ gourmet products at the La Mitis Business Gala
• Most Imaginative Garden Design Award – awarded for asensio_mah’s Surface Deep garden by Canada Blooms in Toronto
• Named a Bas-Saint-Laurent Wonder and the 11th Wonder of Québec – according to a Léger Marketing / Journal de Montréal – Journal de Québec survey
• 5 Blooms and a Special Mention for Excellence in Horticultural Design and Maintenance – awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom

2011

• Gaïa Award for Excellence in Food Packaging – awarded in the “Gourmet Products” category to the Reford Gardens marinades, designed by Emulsion stratégie marketing
• 5 Blooms and a Special Mention for the Integration of Art and Sculptures – awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom
• Outstanding Creativity Prize – awarded for Deborah Nagan’s How Green Is the Garden? installation by Canada Blooms in Toronto
• Garden Tourism Person of the Year (Canadian Garden Tourism Awards) – awarded to Alexander Reford for his work promoting gardens as a tourism attraction by Canada’s Garden Tourism Conference

2010

• Coalition BOIS Québec Prize (Cecobois Excellence Awards) – awarded to the Reford Gardens for their strong commitment to supporting greater use of wood in non-residential construction
• 5 Blooms and a Special Mention for Excellence in Horticultural Design and Maintenance – awarded in the “Special Attractions” category (national edition) by Communities in Bloom
• Bas-Saint-Laurent Heritage Prize (La Mitis region) – awarded in the “Preservation, Restoration and Conservation” category for the quality of the gardens and their impact on the local environment